UPDATE: Council statement on future of Wellingborough’s Castle theatre

Stephanie Weaver

Wellingborough Council has said the administrator has ‘decisions to make’ today on the theatre’s future.

The council has just released a statement, which says it is expecting to get the building back from the administrator in the near future and then it will need to look at how it can re-open the arts venue on an interim basis.

While the council has released this statement, it is still waiting for more information itself before it can work out the best way to move forward.

A spokesman for Wellingborough Council said: “We have received a number of enquiries about The Castle now that the administrator has begun the process of cancelling shows, performances etc.

“The council is in the hands of the administrator at this point and he has decisions to make today.

“It does appear that in the near future the council will receive the building back and we will need to consider how we can re-open the facility initially on an interim basis.

“We are sure you will understand that until the administrator has taken whatever actions he deems necessary, the council can do very little.

“Members of the council do understand that this is a difficult and upsetting time for many of our local residents and are very clear that they want the venue to re-open as quickly as possible.

“However, in the event of closure and before we can re-open there are a number of housekeeping and legal processes we need to carry out, so we cannot give a definite timescale just yet.

“In terms of shows put on by local groups which have been cancelled for the rest of the current programme, ie until the end of August, we hope that it may be possible that they can be re-booked so that everyone who has been rehearsing so hard will still have the opportunity to perform.

“However, we just do not know at this time.

“We are also mindful of the fact that many tickets have been sold, but this is something that the council has no information or control over.

“You will need to take this up with the administrator, whose contact details are as follows: Gary Pettit, 9/10 Scirocco Close, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6AP, telephone 01604 212150 or email garypettit@pbcbusinessrecovery.co.uk.”

The spokesman added that once the position is clearer, the council will try to keep people informed through press releases and statements on its website.

The Northants Telegraph will be updating the story throughout the day as and when we get further information.